The committee formed in September, with former alderman Matt Stamper sponsoring the ordinance to establish the committee, which is made up of Rick Fox, Rita Lea, John Prentiss, Jim Young and Dana Swinea. Municipal Technical Advisory Service consultant Gary Jaeckel served as a consultant to the committee.

Committee chairman John Prentiss walked the General Committee through its process that led to the recommendation.

“We were charged with a specific mission,” Prentiss said. “To study the issue of a city administrator for the City of Hendersonville, to advise the board of mayor and aldermen of any issues and make recommendations.”

Prentiss explained that the city’s charter does allow for a city administrator, and said that while a city manger’s responsibilities are mandated by state law, the city administrator’s duties are assigned by city ordinance. The city administrator would report to BOMA.

Prentiss said of the 56 cities in the state larger than 10,000, 40 had city manager or administrator positions. And the committee talked to several of those cities to seek advice.

“Every one of the other cities confirmed that it’s a long-term savings …. by bringing in professional management … From a business point of view, it saves the city money over time. Every city verified that was the case,” he said.

Lea told the General Committee that they heard common themes from the cities they talked to: city administrators bring continuity, accountability, efficiency and stability.

Those are “good words for a city like us in the middle of growing spurts,” she said. We want to “stay healthy and continue to have a good reputation.”

She further explained that city administrators allow the city to run steadily. Mayors and aldermen come and go, but the position offers continuity.

Fox told the general committee that he asked 20 board members and department heads the same four questions:

What in your opinion is the advantage of having a city administrator?

What are the disadvantages?

How would a city administrator plus mayor help you?

How would a city administrator plus mayor hinder you?

Fox, who said he spent his career in management consulting and as a human resources director, said “people support what they help create. I absolutely believe that.”

He said the city of Hendersonville was comparable to a mid-size company.

“We need someone fully versed in business management and day-to-day operations,” he said. “It’s only going to get bigger.”

Comments from BOMA

Alderman Darryl Woodcock asked whether a city administrator would take authority away from the mayor and asked Mayor Jamie Clary if he had any thoughts on the position.

“Quite honestly,” Clary said, “this is the third time this has come up for the city in the past three years, and this is the first time anybody has ever asked me that. I’ve been asked four questions by one member of the committee, and I feel like I could have had more input.”

While Clary said he would be happy to provide more input, he added that he was “not prepared to do that right now.”

Alderwoman Arlene Cunningham asked how many of the 40 cities with city administrators or managers had full-time mayors as well as full time-administrator positions.

The committee did not have the answer, and Cunningham said that was a question she would like to have answered.

General Committee chairman Scott Sprouse said he was “on the fence” about the issue.

“I have seen from the inside this system work for a little over 18 years,” he said. “But I’ve also seen the weaknesses of this system … I may be the most hesitant to make the change, but I’m very open to the discussion.”

Sprouse said he felt strongly all conversations on the issue should be done publicly.

“This committee is not in any position to make a recommendation at this time,” he said. “I would foresee this is not something that would be sprung upon the citizens.”

While the position is allowed in the city’s charter, there still is not a defined job description, salary, etc. And such a position would need to be budgeted for, he explained.

“There are multiple steps,” he said. “This is the first public conversation about the report and the idea.”

Regional Editor Amy Nixon can be reached at anixon@gannett.com or 615-946-7549.